Protein Skimmers

[dinotrex]

Which one is right for me? I have a 55 gallon tank. After a protein Skimmer, whats next? I already have heaters and substrate.... whats the next step? Am I ready for water yet?

 

[tmcpeek]

Can you give a few details? What type of tank? FO, FOWLR, Reef? Do you have a sump?

 

[dinotrex]

For now, Fish only, I know I need a Protein Skimmer. I don't know if i'm reading this right but I can go with either live rock OR a external filter for filtration, whats more common and easier for beginners?

 

[Wally]

For sure get live rock. If you do not now you surely will later when you learn more. I got the external filter first then soon after bought the live rock once I got an education. The filter ended up being an unnessisary expense.

 

[loganj]

An Aqua C Remora skimmer with a Maxi Jet 1200 pump would do well on a 55g tank. The Remora Pro with a Mag 3 pump would be even better and would give you some room to move to a larger tank later if you wanted to. I would suggest a surface skimmer with either one as it will increase the efficiency of the skimmer.
I would go with LR instead of an external filter...about 1.5-2lbs per gallon.

 

[alarmguy66]

I am currently running a 55g tank, here is what I have done.

When I started I had the following - HOB power filter, heater, powerhead. Worked fine, but water never cleaner up like id like. After a month I added the remora C skimmer. It worked nicely, but I had way too much (for my wifes visual taste) hanging from the back of the tank. No stability issues, just looked like hell. I added an overflow box, mag 7 pump and a 10 gal sump. After plumbing it all out and testing it I was very happy with the operation. Problem is, you got no room for error during a power outage with the 10 gal. After about 1 week went to a 20 gal rubbermaid container for a sump and the 10 gal tank became qt. Now the power filter is on the qt tank and all I have in my display is a power head and the overflow (and 80 lbs. lr). In my sump is a skimmer, return pump and heater. Changed the lights to 10k also, is much more appealing.

I am very happy with my setup as it is right now, the addition of a backdrop (dark blue, no pattern) was a nice touch (my wife is very big into appearances). Now I just have to wait one more week to get my fish out of qt. They are gonna think they were in an episode of Trading Spaces".